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Antibes Yachting selected as “Top 40 Yacht Blog of 2020”
I recently got some great news that Antibes Yachting’s blog has been selected by Feedspot as one of the “Top 40 Yacht Blogs, Websites and Influencers in 2020”.
I have made a concentrated effort to add useful and industry-relevant content to the blog, so I’m happy that Antibes Yachting is included in this list in our first few months of business. The ‘Blog/News’ section will feature marketing tips, destination information about visiting or living in Antibes, crew news and updates about Port Vauban.
It’s so great to be alongside other yachting sites such as Heesen Yachts, Luxuo, Yachting Monthly and Yachting World.
Check out Feedspot’s full list of top yachting-related blogs by clicking on the link below:
Brexit Update: British Yacht Crew In France
Four years ago, the UK voted to leave the European Union and since then there has been conflicting information concerning travel and immigration regulations for British yacht crew in France, as well as VAT on yachts post-Brexit.
On 31 December 2020, the French government activated Decree no. 2020-1417 (19 November 2020) highlighting the rights and responsibilities for British citizens who were already resident in France or intending to be resident in France from this date. Britons already resident in France before 31 December 2020 do not have to get their passports stamped in or out as they are covered by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
However, for yacht crew who hold a British passport and are not French residents there are considerations.
British Yacht Crew travelling between the UK and France
An extension bulletin has detailed that seafarers are exempt from restrictions. For travel from the UK to France, it is recommended that yacht crew carry the following documentation:
- Passport
- Seaman’s Book, or official documentation as proof of employment on board a yacht (contract of employment, signed/stamped crew list etc)
- Travel letters in support (in English and French)
- A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling
PCR Tests for Yacht Crew
You can be denied passenger boarding for your flight if you can’t provide verification of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling. Don’t attempt to travel without an up-to-date test.
Crew Travel Letters
It is recommend that all crew have travel letters for their journey in English and French. BWA Yachting can provide this documentation for you, which crew have found useful for check-in procedures, boarding and clearing through passport control. Contact them via www.bwayachting.com
Brexit: Stamping in and out procedure for yacht crew
Since Brexit is now in effect, British crew (who are not French residents) needing to fly out of France will need to stamp IN prior to travelling.
As well, crew will now need to stamp OUT when joining a yacht in order to ‘freeze’ the number of days they are permitted to be in the Schengen Zone; currently 90 days of stay within any 180-day period. Additionally, please note the rules when a third country national (non EU/EEA) is stamped OUT:
- Travel for crew that are stamped out is only tolerated for the city directly touching the port where their yacht is moored.
- The crew member must present themselves in person at the port customs office (not possible to stamp directly at the airport). The documents that need to be provided (minimum 48 hours in advance) to organise a stamp IN or OUT are:
- Passport
- Last passport page stamp
- Seaman’s Book or your crew employment contract
- Yacht Registry papers
- Crew list dated and signed by the Captain
- Flight ticket
- Travel letters in support (in English and French; contact BWA Yachting for help with this)
- Negative PCR test results (taken within 48 hours)
Port Customs Offices near Antibes
A reminder of where to go for the stamping.
CANNES
NICE
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985 by ten European countries and a further 16 countries have joined since then. The Schengen Area and the European Union (EU) are two separate entities. Not all Schengen members are in the EU and not all EU members are in the Schengen Area.
These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Note: I am trying to verify that Gibraltar is also considered part of the Schengen since 1st January 2021, to be advised.
PYA Webinar: Brexit Regulations for Yacht Crew
- Antonella Della Pietra – BWA Spain
- Richard Falk – RYA
- Mark Ravnholt – Catalano Shipping
- Stamping IN and OUT at EU ports
- Required travel documentation
- Regulations for UK citizens and crew in the EU
- Focus on the latest regulations in France, Monaco, Italy and Spain
- COVID regulations affecting travel for UK citizens
- Acceptance of UK Certificates (RYA)
Countdown to Christmas marketing tips: Days 9 to 12
As we creep closer to the holiday season, it’s important to realise that marketing is a long-term strategy. While these Countdown to Christmas posts are intended to inspire you with marketing ideas, there is no quick fix solution for posting consistent and relevant content.
Day 9: The ‘WOW’ Factor
- Sharing some case studies is one example of attracting the right customers to contact you.
- Keep building relationships with people who are connectors in your industry. The ones who rave about you are the same ones who will tell others how great you are.
- Be proactive with your marketing – are you always watching someone else’s content and thinking their posts are awesome? You need to make a choice to start posting consistently and communicate why you stand out.
- Even if you’re struggling to define what sets you apart from your competitors, you can publish content that appeals to your ideal customer, as well as posts with a bit of personality showing what you do. No one remembers boring and they certainly won’t keep coming back to your social media pages for photos of your dinner or pets! If in doubt, a quick Google search will give you inspiration and tell you what your customers are looking for.
Example: I realised that online yachting directories sign up businesses and you rarely hear from them again until it’s time to renew your subscription; they simply don’t promote their listings enough. So, as a standard benefit with Antibes Yachting packages we include 9 social media posts a year which adds value for all businesses, especially those companies who don’t have the time or employees to manage targeted marketing.
Day 10: Testimonials and Referrals
Everyone wants new customers, however you shouldn’t overlook your biggest asset for sales – your current customers. Studies show it costs you five times more to convert a new customer than it does to keep an existing one.
If your customers have had a great experience ask them to write one or more of the following for you:
- A website testimonial
- A recommendation on Linkedin
- A Facebook review
- A Google review
- A Yelp review
- Or share a photo of themselves online using your product and tag you.
I’ve found that the most effective way to get a testimonial is to send them a message with the review link and a small set of open-ended prompts such as “Please comment specifically how my product/service helped you etc”. Otherwise they easily forget to do it, or you end up with a bunch of testimonials that simply say “Great service, would recommend” which doesn’t really tell your future customers how awesome you are.
Likewise, listen to all feedback including bad so you can respond and improve. For your loyal customers, you might even offer a discount code for referring other people.
I’m a big fan of supporting local companies and believe in collaboration over competition. Referrals and business shout outs do wonders for growing your brand! Think local, support local, shop local.
Day 11: Communication Is Everything
- Let your customers know your opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period.
- Put auto-replies on your email and social media so they know who will respond to enquiries and messages if you are away on holiday.
- Be transparent about where your business is at; if you need to increase delivery times or reduce services in the New Year let your customers know on social media or send a newsletter.
- If you can’t see customers in person, use you time to plan your marketing or work through that ‘to do’ list that you never get time to start.
- Keep learning by following and commenting on posts from others who are successful in your industry.